Museum De Heksenwaag

About the museum

The Oudewater Weigh House was built in 1482 as a commercial weighing house. Because the town was regarded as especially honest in its weighing, Emperor Charles V granted it the privilege in 1545, as the only town in Europe, of issuing certificates in the emperor's name. People accused of witchcraft had themselves weighed here; those who were not found too light received a “Certificaet van Weginghe” as proof that they could not be witches. According to tradition, no one was ever convicted of witchcraft in Oudewater.

Historical research paints a more sober picture: those who actually had themselves weighed in Oudewater mostly came from the surrounding area, and issuing the certificates was also a lucrative business for the town. Elsewhere, weighing trials were long since disputed at this time, while in Oudewater they were still carried out. Visitors also included Princess Beatrix, who according to the museum was the last princess to be weighed and later became queen.

Today the Weigh House is a museum with permanent exhibitions on the upper floor. Since June 2024, the exhibition “ANDERS?!” (“DIFFERENT?!”) has drawn a line from witch persecution to present-day forms of exclusion and discrimination, from the “digital stake” to bullying. An interactive VR and AI installation lets visitors experience the mechanism of exclusion for themselves. If you wish, you can still be weighed on the scales of 1482 and take the certificate home.

Highlights

• Historic witches' scales of 1482 on which you can be weighed
• “Certificaet van Weginghe” certificate as a souvenir
• Exhibition “ANDERS?!” on exclusion then and now
• Interactive VR/AI installation on the mechanism of exclusion
• Building of 1482 in the heart of Oudewater's old town

Permanent exhibitions

• ANDERS?! – The exhibition draws lines from historical witch persecution to present-day phenomena of exclusion and discrimination, such as bullying and online hate.
• VR/KI-Installation – With an interactive installation, visitors experience the process of exclusion for themselves and speak with the characters; an AI adapts the plot and reactions to the individual person.

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart. Online reservation possible; for groups of more than 6 people by email.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users; the audiovisual presentations of the upper floor are shown there on a screen on request. Quiet animals on a leash are allowed.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A12 via exit 13 towards Oudewater; the museum is signposted in the centre.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings beneath the 16th-century ceiling; for large parties, a photo-report session on the scales is possible. Prices and dates by arrangement via email. Group packages for families, companies and school classes.

Plan your visit